The wildcatter's risky business

June 13, 2014 11:59 PM

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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The sun rises behind the Barrett Brothers Number 1 independent drilling rig Friday June 21, 2013. The rig is being drilled in Presidio County between Alpine and Marfa, Texas near the Marfa Lights viewing station. less

The sun rises behind the Barrett Brothers Number 1 independent drilling rig Friday June 21, 2013. The rig is being drilled in Presidio County between Alpine and Marfa, Texas near the Marfa Lights viewing ... more

Driller Paul Allison (left) and tool pusher Ron Hawkins (right) prepare to add another 30 foot section of pipe at the independent Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig in Presidio County between Alpine and Marfa, Texas. less

Driller Paul Allison (left) and tool pusher Ron Hawkins (right) prepare to add another 30 foot section of pipe at the independent Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig in Presidio County between Alpine and ... more

Land man and project partner Jimmy Nixon (left) talks with drilling rig mud logger Tish McGee at a trailer at the site of the Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig between Marfa and Alpine, Texas. A mud logger keeps detailed records of a well's bore hole by examining the cuttings of rock brought to the well's surface. less

Land man and project partner Jimmy Nixon (left) talks with drilling rig mud logger Tish McGee at a trailer at the site of the Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig between Marfa and Alpine, Texas. A mud logger ... more

Core samples from different depths of of the Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig are separated and ready for examination under a microscope by the rig's mud logger. The mud logger keeps records of the types of rock and soil present in the well's bore hole. less

Core samples from different depths of of the Barrett Brothers Number 1 drilling rig are separated and ready for examination under a microscope by the rig's mud logger. The mud logger keeps records of the types ... more

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Core samples from different depths of of the Barrett Brothers... Photo-5090426.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig mud logger Tish McGee gathers bore hole samples that she will later examine under a microscope. The rig is located in Presideo County between Marfa and Alpine, Texas.

Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig mud logger Tish McGee gathers bore hole samples that she will later examine under a microscope. The rig is located in Presideo County between Marfa and Alpine, Texas.

Tool pusher Ron Hawkins (left) talks with consultant Jerry Britt near the waste pit of the Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig in Presidio County. A tool pusher directs a rig's operations and is in charge of keeping the rig in all necessary tools, supplies and equipmet. less

Tool pusher Ron Hawkins (left) talks with consultant Jerry Britt near the waste pit of the Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig in Presidio County. A tool pusher directs a rig's operations and is in charge of ... more

Tools used in day to day operations od the Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig are stored in a shed. The rig is located in Presidio County.

Tools used in day to day operations od the Barrett Brothers number 1 drilling rig are stored in a shed. The rig is located in Presidio County.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Tools used in day to day operations od the Barrett Brothers number... Photo-5090429.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Pipe is ready to be used at the Barrett Brothers number 1 well in Presidio County.

Pipe is ready to be used at the Barrett Brothers number 1 well in Presidio County.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Pipe is ready to be used at the Barrett Brothers number 1 well in... Photo-5090430.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Drilling continues at the Holdsworth No. 8 site on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The drilling is an undertaking by San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell.

Drilling continues at the Holdsworth No. 8 site on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The drilling is an undertaking by San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Drilling continues at the Holdsworth No. 8 site on the Tortuga... Photo-4792295.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Rene Saenz digs the holes for the mud pits at the future Holdsworth Number 8 well on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, March 26, 2013. On the left in the back is the Holdsworth No. 7 well and directly behind Saenz is the pad site for a Chesapeake Energy production well. less

Rene Saenz digs the holes for the mud pits at the future Holdsworth Number 8 well on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, March 26, 2013. On the left in the back is the Holdsworth No. 7 well and directly ... more

San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell smells mud logging samples from the San Miguel Formation at 4,300 feet for presence of hydrocarbons at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. With Howell are from left, Lance Harwerth, Val Daubert and mud logger, Mike Garza. less

San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell smells mud logging samples from the San Miguel Formation at 4,300 feet for presence of hydrocarbons at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, ... more

Surrounded by investors and employees, San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell looks for the presence of hydrocarbons in mud logging samples at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. With Howell are from left, C.R. "Bob" Daubert, Lance Harwerth, Val Daubert and mud logger, Mike Garza. less

Surrounded by investors and employees, San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell looks for the presence of hydrocarbons in mud logging samples at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, ... more

The presence of hydrocarbons points in a positive direction as mud logging samples from the San Miguel formation at a depth of 4,300 feet, fluoresce during testing at the Holdsworth No. 8 drilling site on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. less

The presence of hydrocarbons points in a positive direction as mud logging samples from the San Miguel formation at a depth of 4,300 feet, fluoresce during testing at the Holdsworth No. 8 drilling site on the ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

The presence of hydrocarbons points in a positive direction as mud... Photo-4792300.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Surrounded by investors and employees, San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell, center, smiles as mud logging samples detect the presence of hydrocarbons at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. With Howell are from left, Lance Harwerth, Val Daubert, mud logger, Mike Garza and C.R. "Bob" Daubert. less

Surrounded by investors and employees, San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell, center, smiles as mud logging samples detect the presence of hydrocarbons at the Holdsworth No. 8 rig on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala ... more

Arrow Drilling's tool pusher Roland Hernandez jokes around as total depth is reached at the Holdsworth No. 8 drilling site is on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The 4,500 ft. hole was funded by San Antonio wildcatter Harvey Howell. less

Arrow Drilling's tool pusher Roland Hernandez jokes around as total depth is reached at the Holdsworth No. 8 drilling site is on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The 4,500 ft. hole was ... more

Arrow Drilling derrick man Nestor Lerma, Jr. throws a mixture of aluminum stearate and diesel into the drilling mud pits to reduce bubbling as work continues on the Holdsworth Number 8 drilling site at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. less

Arrow Drilling derrick man Nestor Lerma, Jr. throws a mixture of aluminum stearate and diesel into the drilling mud pits to reduce bubbling as work continues on the Holdsworth Number 8 drilling site at the ... more

After reaching total depth, derrick man Anatolio Salinas, 30, of Alice, Texas, helps out as they clean the drill site at the Holdsworth No. 8 well on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013.

After reaching total depth, derrick man Anatolio Salinas, 30, of Alice, Texas, helps out as they clean the drill site at the Holdsworth No. 8 well on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013.

David Holdsworth and his wife, Tamara, center, entertain Chicago-area interior designer Marti Napolitano at their modest ranch house on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The Holdsworth are in the process of building a legacy house and have hired Napolitano. On the edge of the Eagle Ford Shale, the Tortuga Ranch has been in the Holdsworth family since his grand parents immigrated from England in the late 1800's. Traditionally, the family has been in the livestock business, which Holdsworth took over upon inheriting the ranch. The discovering of oil on his land has given the family the means to rely less on the drought-affected business of raising cattle. less

David Holdsworth and his wife, Tamara, center, entertain Chicago-area interior designer Marti Napolitano at their modest ranch house on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. The Holdsworth ... more

Tamara Holdsworth, right, talks with general contractor Joseph Richarz, at the construction site of the future Holdsworth legacy house on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. Sitting on the edge of the Eagle Ford Shale, oil production on the ranch has allowed David Holdsworth to cut back on working cattle. less

Tamara Holdsworth, right, talks with general contractor Joseph Richarz, at the construction site of the future Holdsworth legacy house on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. Sitting on ... more

David Holdsworth and his family use a lift to view their "big house" under construction at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. Sitting on the edge of the Eagle Ford Shale, oil drilling has been successful to a degree allowing Holdsworth to cut back on working cattle and affording luxuries his ancestors strived for when they arrived in the county during the late 1800's. less

David Holdsworth and his family use a lift to view their "big house" under construction at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, April 8, 2013. Sitting on the edge of the Eagle Ford Shale, oil drilling ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

David Holdsworth and his family use a lift to view their "big... Photo-4792307.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Landowner David Holdsworth checks out the recompleted Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013. The well, drilled last summer by wildcatter Harvey Howell, was producing 50 barrels of briny water and five barrels of oil. It was costing hundreds of dollars daily to dispose of the water. The work over job consisted of reworking the hole and perforating the site at a higher level that the previous perforations to avoid drawing water. The weeklong job was a successful. The well was producing around 10-11 barrels of oil daily a week after the job was finished. less

Landowner David Holdsworth checks out the recompleted Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013. The well, drilled last summer by wildcatter Harvey Howell, was producing 50 ... more

Amid blooming huisache, landowner David Holdsworth, left, and wildcatter, Harvey Howell search for Well No. 3, an old non-producing gas well on Holdsworth's Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. Howell had scheduled a work over job on low producing Well No. 7 and the start of drilling on Well No. 8 for later on in the month. less

Amid blooming huisache, landowner David Holdsworth, left, and wildcatter, Harvey Howell search for Well No. 3, an old non-producing gas well on Holdsworth's Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, ... more

Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth checks out the No. 3 well on his land in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. The well was drilled by wildcatter Harvey Howell and produced natural gas but no money. Holdsworth's land sits on the edge of the Eagle Ford Shale play. He has contracted the deep mineral rights with a Chesapeake Energy Corp. but has reserved the shallow rights for Howell. less

Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth checks out the No. 3 well on his land in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. The well was drilled by wildcatter Harvey Howell and produced natural gas but no money. ... more

Wildcatter Harvey Howell, left, and Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth check out what remains of the No. 2 well on HoldsworthÕs land in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. Howell has drilled several sites on the ranch. The first one produced only water but the No. 2 paid off with 25,000 barrels of oil. Holdsworth, a cattle rancher, was able to cut back on working the ranch and spend time with his new bride, Tamara. "I didn't have to run so many cattle. I used to have vicious cycles, " Holdsworth said. "When Harvey drilled that it really helped Tamara and me." Holdsworth take on the deal was a quarter of the barrels. less

Wildcatter Harvey Howell, left, and Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth check out what remains of the No. 2 well on HoldsworthÕs land in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. Howell has drilled several ... more

Mario Gonzalez, 27, left, and Ricky Chavarria, 40, with Mercer Well Services, work the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Producing 50 barrels of briny water for every five of oil daily, the work was needed to control the loss of money due to the high cost of disposing of the water. The job consisted of reeling the hole with mud and cement and perforating the well at a higher level to avoid drawing water. About a week after the completion of the job, the well was producing around 10-11 barrels of oil daily. less

Mario Gonzalez, 27, left, and Ricky Chavarria, 40, with Mercer Well Services, work the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Producing 50 barrels of ... more

Surrounded by dust kicked up by swirling winds, Ruben Naranjo, Jr. 32, of C & S Wireline Services, lines up a logging and perforating truck at the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Monday, March 26, 2013. The crew was at the site to perforate the well after a work over job by Mercer Well Services. The No. 7 well was producing too much water and the hope of the work over job was to perforate the casing at a spot that would yield a better oil-to-water ratio. less

Surrounded by dust kicked up by swirling winds, Ruben Naranjo, Jr. 32, of C & S Wireline Services, lines up a logging and perforating truck at the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 on the Tortuga Ranch in ... more

Casing is lined up by the Mercer Well Services crew working at the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 site on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. The well was undergoing a work over job by the crew. The casing was removed and the crew reworked the hole with mud and cement in order to perforate the well at a higher level. The perforations needed to be raised to avoid water from entering the well. Before the recomplete, the well was producing more water than oil. less

Casing is lined up by the Mercer Well Services crew working at the David Holdsworth Lease Well No. 7 site on the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. The well was undergoing a work over ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Casing is lined up by the Mercer Well Services crew working at the... Photo-4505789.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Sonny Sanchez, 60, right, tool pusher with Mercer Well Service, hands company man Jim Wilson, a field ticket detailing the daily operations cost of the workover rig on the David Holdsworth Lease No. 7 well at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. The workover crews works on a day rate. "Without the John Henry of Mr. Wilson here, I'm not getting paid." less

Sonny Sanchez, 60, right, tool pusher with Mercer Well Service, hands company man Jim Wilson, a field ticket detailing the daily operations cost of the workover rig on the David Holdsworth Lease No. 7 well at ... more

Crew member Mario Gonzalez cleans up the area around the David Holdsworth Lease No. 7 well as a recomplete job wraps in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

Crew member Mario Gonzalez cleans up the area around the David Holdsworth Lease No. 7 well as a recomplete job wraps in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

Photo: Jerry Lara

Crew member Mario Gonzalez cleans up the area around the David... Photo-4505793.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The crew from left, Sonny Sanchez, Mario Gonzalez, Ricky Chavarria, George Garcia and Robert Torrez pose by the completed a work over rig No. 7 at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

The crew from left, Sonny Sanchez, Mario Gonzalez, Ricky Chavarria, George Garcia and Robert Torrez pose by the completed a work over rig No. 7 at the Tortuga Ranch in Zavala County, Wednesday, March 27, 2013.

Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth and wildcatter Harvey Howell check out the future No. 8 drilling site in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. The rig was scheduled to start a few weeks later. Upon further review of data, Howell decided to move the drill site about 200 feet southeast of this location. less

Tortuga Ranch owner David Holdsworth and wildcatter Harvey Howell check out the future No. 8 drilling site in Zavala County, Saturday, March 2, 2013. The rig was scheduled to start a few weeks later. Upon ... more

Harvey Howell, president of H.H. Howell, Inc., an oil and gas exploration company in San Antonio, calls to check the status of the arrival of a drilling rig at a site in Frio County, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. The third-generation wildcatter was investing $1.3 million in the drilling operation, marked by the stake in the foreground. He calculated his odds of finding oil at 10-to-1 against. less

Harvey Howell, president of H.H. Howell, Inc., an oil and gas exploration company in San Antonio, calls to check the status of the arrival of a drilling rig at a site in Frio County, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. ... more

Anatolio Salinas watches the rigging as the monkey board is set in place on a rig at the drilling site in Frio County near Moore, Texas. The monkey board is used by the derrickman while moving pipe in or out of the hole. less

Anatolio Salinas watches the rigging as the monkey board is set in place on a rig at the drilling site in Frio County near Moore, Texas. The monkey board is used by the derrickman while moving pipe in or out of ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Anatolio Salinas watches the rigging as the monkey board is set in... Photo-4505797.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Anatolio Salinas climbs up the rig as it is erected and prepared for drilling at the site. The main area of interest was a formation called the San Miguel Sandstone.

Anatolio Salinas climbs up the rig as it is erected and prepared for drilling at the site. The main area of interest was a formation called the San Miguel Sandstone.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Anatolio Salinas climbs up the rig as it is erected and prepared... Photo-4505798.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Derrickman Nestor Lerma, right, gets help mixing mud from floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer. The chemicals were used to manage the consistency of the mud that built up the walls of the hole being drilled.

Derrickman Nestor Lerma, right, gets help mixing mud from floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer. The chemicals were used to manage the consistency of the mud that built up the walls of the hole being drilled.

Drilling crew members align the base for the derrick at the drilling site in Frio County. The work was funded by Harvey Howell, a third-generation wildcatter from San Antonio. The rig's depth was set at 4,000 feet. less

Drilling crew members align the base for the derrick at the drilling site in Frio County. The work was funded by Harvey Howell, a third-generation wildcatter from San Antonio. The rig's depth was set at 4,000 ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Drilling crew members align the base for the derrick at the... Photo-4505800.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Floorhand J.B. Espinoza covers himself as calcium chloride is used to speed up the hardening of a cement base before installing blowout prevention equipment.

Floorhand J.B. Espinoza covers himself as calcium chloride is used to speed up the hardening of a cement base before installing blowout prevention equipment.

Derrickman Nestor Lerma, Jr. 36, of Freer, opens up the holding tanks as the crew controls the consistency of the mud used in the drilling operation. Looking on is floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer. The mud is used during the drilling to build up the walls of the hole. less

Derrickman Nestor Lerma, Jr. 36, of Freer, opens up the holding tanks as the crew controls the consistency of the mud used in the drilling operation. Looking on is floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer. The mud ... more

On the last day of the work week, floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer, crosses himself, at the start of the twelve-hour shift. He was on his first week on the rig. The crew of four would head home and return to work the next Sunday to start a string of overnight shifts. less

On the last day of the work week, floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer, crosses himself, at the start of the twelve-hour shift. He was on his first week on the rig. The crew of four would head home and return ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

On the last day of the work week, floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, of... Photo-4505804.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Floorhands J.B. Espinoza, left, and Miguel Ortiz, move pipe out of the hole. Espinoza was on his first week on the rig.

Floorhands J.B. Espinoza, left, and Miguel Ortiz, move pipe out of the hole. Espinoza was on his first week on the rig.

At the end of the 12-hour shift, Miguel Ortiz, 21, right, of Alamo, Texas asks for his towel, as he and fellow floorhand, J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer, rush to get to a grocery store 20 miles away. The crew was staying in company-provided housing at the drilling site in Frio County. Midway through their week, they were running out of food and money. They were in a rush to reach a Western Union before closing to receive money wired to them by their families. less

At the end of the 12-hour shift, Miguel Ortiz, 21, right, of Alamo, Texas asks for his towel, as he and fellow floorhand, J.B. Espinoza, 21, of Freer, rush to get to a grocery store 20 miles away. The crew was ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

At the end of the 12-hour shift, Miguel Ortiz, 21, right, of Alamo,... Photo-4505808.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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After his shift, floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, calls his girlfriend while waiting for his turn to shower inside the company-provided housing at a drilling site in Frio County, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. It was Espinoza's first week on the rig. less

After his shift, floorhand J.B. Espinoza, 21, calls his girlfriend while waiting for his turn to shower inside the company-provided housing at a drilling site in Frio County, Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. It was ... more

Before the start of the day, floorhand Miguel Ortiz, 21, of Alamo, Texas smokes a cigarette.

Before the start of the day, floorhand Miguel Ortiz, 21, of Alamo, Texas smokes a cigarette.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

Before the start of the day, floorhand Miguel Ortiz, 21, of Alamo,... Photo-4505812.60747 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Smoking cigarettes, checking out Facebook and talking with spouses, derrickman Nestor Lerma, Jr., 36, of Freer, left, and driller Humberto Hinojosa, 51, of Benavides, watch the drilling rig after their 12-hour shift. "There's nothing here to do, we don't have television, so we watch the rig, " said Lerma. less

Smoking cigarettes, checking out Facebook and talking with spouses, derrickman Nestor Lerma, Jr., 36, of Freer, left, and driller Humberto Hinojosa, 51, of Benavides, watch the drilling rig after their 12-hour ... more

Harvey Howell, president of H.H. Howell, Inc., an oil and gas exploration company in San Antonio, keeps an eye on the drilling rig at the site in Frio County. Howell, a third-generation wildcatter, was funding the operation. He was waiting for the the drilling to hit the San Miguel Sandstone formation, an area of great interest. less

Harvey Howell, president of H.H. Howell, Inc., an oil and gas exploration company in San Antonio, keeps an eye on the drilling rig at the site in Frio County. Howell, a third-generation wildcatter, was funding ... more

Mud logger Travis Scott, 35, washes shale samples coming out of the drilling site in Frio County. Scott works with Geo Tech Logging, which was contracted to monitor the rock formations for possible oil or gas deposits during the drilling. less

Mud logger Travis Scott, 35, washes shale samples coming out of the drilling site in Frio County. Scott works with Geo Tech Logging, which was contracted to monitor the rock formations for possible oil or gas ... more

Tool pusher Luis Garcia, 50, of Benavides, Texas, looks at the wellhead, all that remains after Arrow Drilling crews leave the drilling site in Frio County, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. The hole was a venture by third-generation wildcatter Harvey Howell, of San Antonio. After a week of drilling for oil, the hole came up dry. less

Tool pusher Luis Garcia, 50, of Benavides, Texas, looks at the wellhead, all that remains after Arrow Drilling crews leave the drilling site in Frio County, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. The hole was a venture by ... more

Third-generation wildcatter Harvey Howell weighs his decision before shutting down operations at a drilling site in Frio County, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. After a week of drilling and spending $1.3 million, the site came up dry. less

Third-generation wildcatter Harvey Howell weighs his decision before shutting down operations at a drilling site in Frio County, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013. After a week of drilling and spending $1.3 million, the ... more